My husband and I are in the process of buying a house and we think we’re going to stay in the same community (I refuse to call it a “town”) that we’re in now. The reasons are plentiful: affordable houses, relatively close to both jobs, safe, lots of kid-friendly establishments, our family is nearby, etc.
The biggest benefit, though, is the school system.
Where we live now is one of the top school districts in the state, rated “Excellent with Distinction.” It’s a step up from excellent. As in, why wouldn’t we want to live there, especially if we can afford to?
As is the case with many top-performing school districts, the district in question is lily-white. As in, only-one-black-student-on-the-football-team-lily-white. Our kids might be the only black students in their classes.
It’s almost 2009 and we still have to deal with this kind of thing?
My options are either to send our kids to one of the best schools in the area and deal with the possibility of having them feel culturally isolated, or we can send them to a decent school that’s a bit more diverse.
I worry a bit about things like Black History Month. How do they teach the African American experience to kids who probably haven’t seen that many of us? Will my kids learn the full extend of slavery, or will it be glossed over in a quick paragraph? What about the civil rights movement? Will they be required to read some of MLK’s speeches? Dissect the organizing tactics of the peaceful demonstrators?
I know these concerns aren’t limited to predominately white schools, as students in more culturally diverse settings still aren’t taught the full extent of their history. But still I worry.
We want them to have the best possible start in life and making sure they attend top schools is definitely part of our plan. So they probably will attend the schools in our area. We’ll just have to provide the missing component of our kids’ public school education ourselves.
TheMom says
I say stay where you are and take advantage of that school system. Your child can get exposed to cultural things through outside activities..church…family..clubs…but that is just my opinion.
Every time I move..the school system is a major factor for me.
TheMoms last blog post..Show Me Your Friends, Ill Show You Your Future?
Harriet says
Beyond the frustration of your children being thought of as the Rosetta Stone course for the African American experience, I agree with TheMom. As long as your children are not mistreated or targeted because they are of another ethnicity, I don’t see the problem.
Unfortunately, in business and other leadership circles, they are going to have to become used to being “the only one.” Although in 2009, things are changing (especially with a bi-racial president-elect and a multicultural cabinet), it would be naive to think that the challenges have just disappeared.
Tyrone says
In the private school my daughter goes to she is one of two black students. However, This was the top rated school in the community. She seem at times to be have moments when she is reminded of her being different. However, we try to supllement her education at home and among other State Funded Programs we get to take advantage of because she is in private school.
My daughter is also a unique situation. The school embraces her (I think) because she is a 6 year old in the 2nd grade and she tested above to almost a 3rd grade level. She won the school spelling B for 2nd grade and a recital competition. She also performed a major role in their Christmas program. I think they are fascinated to see this child doing these things.
In my oppinion our parenting has a lot to do with how she performs because we try to answer any questions our children ask. We don’t leave it to the school alone to educate. We view the school as helping to educate not only on acedemics, but also on social skills (mainly interacting with others in authority (teachers) and peers). My daughter also have some friends from an interacial marriage, and they face simular challenges so she has people she can identify with.
My point is give your children the best you can be it lilly-white school which you may have into instill teachings from home to help with the journey.
TheMom's Cousin says
We have to accept the fact that no matter what the racial break down in any school system, there is always going to be something that is lacking. My son goes to a predominantly African American private school whose total enrollment from pre-k to 8th grade in 165. Out of that total, 5 are white. The staff is AA, with 2 teachers being white. They have numerous activities during Black History Month. However, they still only teach the basics of our history. And with the teachers hands becoming increasingly tied because of SOL requirements, those have dwindled over the years. It is up to us as parents to inform our children of their past. It angers me when I hear parents complain about what their kids are NOT getting from the school system. We want the schools to take over as parents. Public schools, as well as private, only guarantee a basic education. Unfortunately, some aren’t providing that. I have the opportunity to visit some of the schools in my area from time to time and in the very brief moments I am there, I am appalled at some of the things I see. I give all praise to teachers who are able to endure some of the things I see. There is nothing wrong with you wanting to provide your kids with the best education possible. I would like to think that I am doing the same. Just be prepared to prop up that education when it comes to things like Black History, SEX, interpersonal skills, and society as a whole. We’ve come a long way, but even with our new President-elect some things have yet to change. A man with a Harvard degree, no criminal record and no baby-mamma-drama can and will be called a Ni–a.
Tawanna says
As a child who went to a predominately white school. It would be to your chidren’s advantage if they were in the better school district. If you are worried about whether they will properly learn all about their cultural history, teach them at home.
I went to a predominately white grade school. One day I came home and told my mother I wanted to trasfer to a different school district so that I could go to school with my friends(code for I want to be with my black friends). She did it. To this day, I don’t know why. Anyway, after a month, I begged her to put me back in the predominately white school. Why? I found that my classmates couldn’t read. They were doing math I had done two years earlier. My fear was that I wouldn’t learn. My teacher had even suggested to my mother that they skip me ahead a grade. I thought this was crazy. Needless to say, my mother transferred me back into the white school district. I am so grateful.
Best of luck.
LawyerMom says
I thought the same as the previous comments until I had a different experience. My wonderfully bright and precocious daughter asked me to take her out of the school. We were in the same kind of community nd when we prepared to purchase, we found a wonderful oppotunity in a “cusp” neighborhhod which is more hood than anything else right now. I am pretty uncompromising when it comes to schooland both of my children attend schools where most do not look like them. However, by living in an area where most of th epeople DO look like them, it has proven to make all the difference in the world. Additionally, it has had a profound affect on me as well. My neighbor across the street drinks too much and has been on disability since it originated but she routinely blasts some of the most wonderful original jazz albums from her front window. My next door neighbors are an elderly black couple who teach a gardening class to disabled adults and routinely take my girls to help. Our children are absolutely a reflection of our values. What I realize is that my children needed to be conneced to what has uniquely made being black in America what it is. We ar ealways so quick to want to move out of the “hood” but the same way that is wheremuch of what is wrong with our community – that is also where much of what is “uniquely us” lives and thrives. My children have responded to this in a wonderful way and so have I. When they come, they are home – homey.
MikeFLA says
I am a single white male raising three adopted African-American boys and have asked myself the very same question. Why can you not take this opportunity to educate the lily-white community on African American Issues? Teach your children your basic values and encourage them to reach out to others and educate them. Teaching and learning is not a one way street. Your community will be much better off with you there.
Marsha B. says
Whatever you decide to do, do not leave the education solely up to the school or the teacher. Do not assume that just because of its ranking that all children who attend are smart or are achieving academically. You must be involved from the beginning and be an advocate for your child. Your involvement– and periodic presence in the school– will make a difference in your child’s academic success, whether it be in the “lily white” school or one that is more racially diverse. By your example, your child will see that you value education and expect them to be successful. Period.
Tara Pringle Jefferson says
@ Marsha B. Are you a teacher? Your comment reads like one. 🙂
All good points, which I intend to do. I plan on being involved no matter where we end up sending our kids to school (hence having the discussions about their education even before they were born). While I plan on being the involved mommy and all that, I don’t want a GOOD school for my kids. I want a GREAT school, to complement the GREAT mommy and daddy they have at home. 🙂
Tara
https://theyoungmommylife.com
Tara Pringle Jeffersons last blog post..Our Journey Home: Our Lender Rocks!
Arlice Nichole says
I agree with The Mom. Stay in that school system. Besides, I personally think that we, the parents, are the best teachers of subjects like Black history. I believe they will only get so much and the school system will not allow it to be taught in its entirety. Only parents or books (but of course not the kind find in schools) can offer the depth of our history .
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conseula says
I definitely agree with The Mom. Your responsibility as a parent is to give your kids as many tools as possible to help them succeed in the world. You should send them to best school that you can.
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